H. E. President John Dramani Mahama has broken ground for the construction of second phase of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project to safeguard five coastal communities in Volta Region from the threat of tidal waves. The communities benefiting from this project are Blekusu, Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutinu, and Adina, which have suffered severe damage from tidal waves in recent years, with homes, livelihoods, and farmlands lost to coastal erosion.
The project, expected to be completed within four years, involves the construction of 37 gyrones, large rock structures built perpendicular to the shore to trap sand and reduce erosion, as well as land reclamation works to secure eight kilometers of coastline. Amandi Holdings Ltd, the contractor, will work in collaboration with the Ghana Hydrological Authority to ensure the project’s successful implementation.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, President Mahama emphasized that the initiative demonstrates responsive leadership and a national resolve to protect coastal communities, lives, homes, and critical infrastructure. “This occasion is not just symbolic, but rather a clear demonstration of what responsible leadership can do, when it cares, when it listens, when it acts,” he stated.
He disclosed that, the project will go beyond coastal protection and incorporate vital development projects to enhance the lives of people in the affected areas. These include Modern Fish Market, Cold Storage and Processing Facilities, Dedicated Spaces for Fish Drying and Smoking, Car Park and Lorry Station and Waste Collection System.
President Mahama urged all key stakeholders, including the Ministry, the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, contractors, and local communities, to collaborate for successful project delivery. He also encouraged young people in the area to take ownership of the initiative by respecting construction zones and timelines and promoting environmental awareness.
The Blekusu Coastal Protection Project Phase II is part of a broader national strategy to protect vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure across nearly 550-kilometer of Ghana’s coastline.
